How much does it cost to study a bachelor’s degree at Universiti Malaya (UM) as an international student? Here is the short answer for 2026: total tuition for a full undergraduate degree ranges from about RM60,900 for arts, social science and Islamic studies programmes to RM132,100 for engineering, and up to RM655,000-RM673,200 for dentistry and medicine. These are total fees for the whole programme, not yearly fees, and they are charged semester by semester.
UM is Malaysia’s top-ranked university, placed 56th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027, so its fees offer strong value compared with similar universities abroad. This guide lists the official UM undergraduate fees for international students by faculty, with programme length, plus foundation and diploma fees and the extra costs you should budget for.
UM Undergraduate Fees at a Glance (International Students)
| Field of study | Total tuition fee (RM) | Typical length | Approx. per year (RM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts, social sciences, languages, Malay and Islamic studies | 60,900 – 82,500 | 3.5 – 4 years | 17,000 – 22,000 |
| Creative arts (music, drama, dance) | 62,100 – 64,500 | 3 years | 21,000 |
| Education | 69,600 – 75,100 | 4 years | 17,000 – 19,000 |
| Science and actuarial science | 70,600 – 78,500 | 4 years | 18,000 – 20,000 |
| Sports and exercise science | 75,100 – 84,700 | 3.5 years | 21,000 – 24,000 |
| Business and economics | 77,100 – 99,100 | 3.5 – 4 years | 22,000 – 25,000 |
| Computer science | 89,200 | 3.5 years | 25,500 |
| Built environment and architecture | 85,000 – 103,900 | 3 – 4 years | 24,000 – 34,500 |
| Engineering | 132,100 | 4 years | 33,000 |
| Biomedical science and nursing | 149,200 | 4 years | 37,300 |
| Pharmacy | 280,100 | 4 years | 70,000 |
| Dentistry and medicine (MBBS) | 655,000 – 673,200 | 5 years | 131,000 – 134,600 |
The yearly figures are our own estimates (total fee divided by the minimum study period) to help you compare programmes; UM itself publishes total fees only.
UM Foundation and Diploma Fees
Students who do not yet meet bachelor’s entry requirements can start with a UM foundation programme, which leads into the related degree faculties. The fees below are for international students.
| Programme | Total fee (RM) | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation in Life Sciences | 35,000 | 1 year |
| Foundation in Physical Sciences | 35,000 | 1 year |
| Foundation in Social Sciences | 35,000 | 1 year |
| Diploma in Management | 33,240 | 2 years |
| Diploma in Business Management | 33,240 | 2 years |
| Diploma in Human Resource Management | 33,240 | 2 years |
| Diploma in Accounting | 33,240 | 2 years |
| Advanced Diploma in Emergency Nursing | 34,100 | 1 year |
| Advanced Diploma in Perioperative Nursing | 36,101 | 1 year |
The diplomas are run by the UM Centre for Continuing Education (UMCCed) and the advanced nursing diplomas by the College of Health Sciences. For other routes into a Malaysian degree, see our guide to pre-university options in Malaysia.
UM Undergraduate Fees 2026 by Faculty
The table shows the total tuition fee for international students for the whole programme. Fees follow UM’s official fee structure for the 2025/2026 intake onwards (updated October 2025), which is the schedule in force for 2026 intakes.
| Programme | Length | Total fee (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Built Environment | ||
| Bachelor of Science in Architecture* | 3 years | 103,900 |
| Bachelor of Building Surveying | 3.5 years | 85,000 |
| Bachelor of Quantity Surveying | 3.5 years | 92,900 |
| Bachelor of Real Estate | 3.5 years | 90,100 |
| Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning | 4 years | 96,100 |
| Faculty of Engineering | ||
| Bachelor of Civil Engineering | 4 years | 132,100 |
| Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering | 4 years | 132,100 |
| Bachelor of Electrical Engineering | 4 years | 132,100 |
| Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering | 4 years | 132,100 |
| Bachelor of Chemical Engineering | 4 years | 132,100 |
| Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology | ||
| Bachelor of Computer Science (Computer System and Network) | 3.5 years | 89,200 |
| Bachelor of Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) | 3.5 years | 89,200 |
| Bachelor of Computer Science (Information Systems) | 3.5 years | 89,200 |
| Bachelor of Computer Science (Software Engineering) | 3.5 years | 89,200 |
| Bachelor of Computer Science (Multimedia Computing) | 3.5 years | 89,200 |
| Faculty of Science | ||
| Bachelor of Science in Chemistry | 4 years | 78,500 |
| Bachelor of Science in Applied Geology | 4 years | 78,400 |
| Bachelor of Science in Mathematics | 4 years | 78,400 |
| Bachelor of Actuarial Science | 4 years | 78,400 |
| Bachelor of Science in Physics | 4 years | 70,600 |
| Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry | 4 years | 70,600 |
| Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology | 4 years | 70,600 |
| Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics | 4 years | 70,600 |
| Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Biodiversity | 4 years | 70,600 |
| Bachelor of Science in Statistics | 4 years | 70,600 |
| Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management (industrial mode) | 4 years | 70,600 |
| Faculty of Sport and Exercise Science | ||
| Bachelor of Sports Management | 3.5 years | 75,100 |
| Bachelor of Sports Science (Exercise Science) | 3.5 years | 84,700 |
| Faculty of Medicine | ||
| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)* | 5 years | 673,200 |
| Bachelor of Biomedical Science | 4 years | 149,200 |
| Bachelor of Nursing Science | 4 years | 149,200 |
| Faculty of Dentistry | ||
| Bachelor of Dental Surgery* | 5 years | 655,000 |
| Faculty of Pharmacy | ||
| Bachelor of Pharmacy* | 4 years | 280,100 |
| Faculty of Business and Economics | ||
| Bachelor of Economics | 3.5 years | 77,100 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | 3.5 years | 77,100 |
| Bachelor of Finance | 3.5 years | 84,100 |
| Bachelor of Accounting | 4 years | 99,100 |
| Faculty of Languages and Linguistics | ||
| Bachelor of English Language and Linguistics | 3.5 years | 70,100 |
| Bachelor of Japanese Language and Linguistics | 3.5 years | 70,000 |
| Bachelor of Arabic Language and Linguistics | 3.5 years | 65,100 |
| Bachelor of Chinese Language and Linguistics | 3.5 years | 65,100 |
| Bachelor of Tamil Language and Linguistics | 3.5 years | 65,100 |
| Bachelor of French Language and Linguistics (double degree) | 3.5 years | 65,000 |
| Bachelor of German Language and Linguistics (double degree) | 3.5 years | 65,000 |
| Bachelor of Spanish Language and Linguistics | 3.5 years | 65,000 |
| Bachelor of Italian Language and Linguistics | 3.5 years | 65,000 |
| Faculty of Education | ||
| Bachelor of Education (Teaching English as a Second Language)* | 4 years | 75,100 |
| Bachelor of Counselling* | 4 years | 69,600 |
| Bachelor of Early Childhood Education* | 4 years | 69,600 |
| Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences | ||
| Bachelor of Environmental Studies | 3.5 years | 75,900 |
| Bachelor of Geography | 3.5 years | 68,100 |
| Bachelor of Media Studies (industrial mode) | 3.5 years | 68,100 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Chinese Studies) | 3.5 years | 68,000 |
| Bachelor of Arts (International and Strategic Studies) | 3.5 years | 65,100 |
| Bachelor of Arts (History) | 3.5 years | 61,000 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology and Sociology) | 3.5 years | 60,900 |
| Bachelor of Arts (English) | 3.5 years | 60,900 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Southeast Asian Studies) | 3.5 years | 60,900 |
| Bachelor of East Asian Studies | 3.5 years | 60,900 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Indian Studies) | 3.5 years | 60,900 |
| Bachelor of Social Administration | 3.5 years | 60,900 |
| Faculty of Creative Arts | ||
| Bachelor of Music | 3 years | 64,500 |
| Bachelor of Dance | 3 years | 62,500 |
| Bachelor of Performing Arts | 3 years | 62,500 |
| Bachelor of Drama | 3 years | 62,100 |
| Academy of Malay Studies | ||
| Bachelor of Malay Studies | 3.5 years | 76,300 |
| Bachelor of Professional Malay Language | 3.5 years | 76,300 |
| Bachelor of Malay Linguistics | 3.5 years | 76,300 |
| Bachelor of Malay Literature | 3.5 years | 76,300 |
| Academy of Islamic Studies | ||
| Bachelor of Shariah and Law | 4 years | 82,500 |
| Bachelor of Muamalat Management | 4 years | 69,600 |
| Bachelor of Shariah | 3.5 years | 60,900 |
| Bachelor of Usuluddin | 3.5 years | 60,900 |
| Bachelor of Al-Quran and Al-Hadith | 3.5 years | 60,900 |
* Interview and/or entrance test required. UM’s international student booklet (December 2025) lists slightly lower fees for four programmes (Exercise Science RM82,400, History RM60,900, East Asian Studies RM59,400 and Music RM62,500); the table uses the official fee structure, so confirm the final amount in your offer letter.
Engineering and medicine are among UM’s strongest fields; compare them with other options in our rankings of the top engineering universities in Malaysia and the top medical universities in Malaysia.
How UM Fees Are Charged
- Total, not yearly: every fee above covers the whole programme, based on the minimum or usual study period.
- Paid by semester: fees are charged when you register each semester, so you do not pay the full amount up front.
- Admission fee included: the one-time admission fee (RM800 for undergraduates) is already part of the total tuition fee.
- Not included: accommodation, the visa and insurance processing fee, books and living costs.
- Fees can change: UM may revise fees without notice, so the fee in your offer letter is the one that applies to you.
Other Costs for International Students at UM
| Item | Cost (RM) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 500 per application | Non-refundable; no fee waivers are offered |
| Admission fee | 800 (one time) | Included in the total tuition fee |
| eVAL visa service fee | About 5,391 for the first year | Covers the student pass, first-year insurance, i-Kad and arrival medical check; amount varies by nationality |
| Residential college (shared room) | 450 per month (RM15 a day) | Subject to availability |
| Residential college (single room) | 900 per month (RM30 a day) | Subject to availability |
| Off-campus room or apartment | 800 – 2,200 per month | Average rents near the campus |
Read more about on-campus housing in our guide to University of Malaya accommodation, and about the libraries, sports centres and health services included in campus life in UM facilities and services. Medical insurance is compulsory for all international students; see our guide to health insurance for international students in Malaysia.
How to Reduce Your UM Fees
UM offers a small number of merit awards, and some governments and employers sponsor students at UM. Check the current options in our guide to UM scholarships and awards. If you are planning further study, you can compare costs with UM postgraduate fees for master’s and PhD programmes, and with other universities in our overview of the cost of studying in Malaysia.
FAQs
1. How much are University of Malaya fees for international undergraduates?
2. Are UM fees per year or for the whole programme?
3. What is the cheapest bachelor's degree at UM?
4. How much is the MBBS at Universiti Malaya for international students?
5. Do UM fees include accommodation?
6. What is the UM application fee for international students?
Sources: Universiti Malaya, fee structure for bachelor’s programmes (international); UM international student booklet (December 2025) and application FAQs.
University of Malaya Location
Universiti Malaya is a public research university on a 922-acre campus in Kuala Lumpur. It is Malaysia’s oldest university, founded in 1905, and its highest-ranked.
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Assalamu alaikkum. Iam from Ipoh.My daughter took 5A, 1B+,2B 1E at spm 2023. She was not get any government university for foundation in science . Is it any possible to join UM? Pls reply
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How much total i have to pay for studying degree Law in UM ? What is the duration?4years?
The cost and duration for a Law degree at UM vary. Contact our agents for exact details and help. We’re ready to assist you!
are these fees yearly?
Yes, these fees are usually charged yearly. For more specific information, get in touch with our agents. They will gladly help you!
Hii,I am doing my undergrad in Bangladesh in University of Dhaka and i have completed the first year of my studies. I am now thinking to pursue my undergraduate abroad. I wanted to know if the university of malaya provides scholarships for international undergraduate students. And also as i have already completed a year in my Honours degree,will i be able to enroll myself for undergraduate courses in the university of malaya?
Hello! University of Malaya offers scholarships for international students, including those from Bangladesh. You may also transfer your credits. Contact our agents for more details and assistance with your application.
Are there scholarships or financial aid available for UM students?
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Hi.
My daughter is Malaysian with A levels. What fees structure will be applied to her ? Local fees or international ?
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hello!! i want to study bachelor in media studies and I want to know if the fees 56,900 cover all three years or does it need to be paid yearly?
Hello! The fees of 56,900 are usually paid each year, not for all three years.
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